How to Become President of the U.S.

By: Derek Krogmann

How to Become President of the U.S.

By: Derek Krogmann

Requirements

Natural born U.S. citizens

Age 35 or older

Live in the U.S. for 14 years or longer

*Tip for success- Don't run the second you turn 35. There is a good chance that at an age so young you have not accomplished as much politically as other candidates so you will be at a disadvantage, wait until people begin to know your name

Step 1: Primaries and Caucuses

Candidates run against members of their own party (Republicans vs Republicans and Democrats vs Democrats) to qualify for the National Convention

Caucuses- candidates have delegates who represent them and stand for their issues meet in person at an appointed time and local location to discuss issues, the voting happens for candidates happens either by raising hands or by separating into groups, votes are counted manually by counting the number of supporters of each candidate

Primaries- Similar to a regular election those eligible ( who can vote are determined by the type of primary in your state) cast secret ballots. This is statewide not local

*Tip for success- Discuss issues that impact citizens who live in your state as well as national issues because you must please the voters in your state before you can take your campaign to a national level

Step 2: National Convention

Takes place every 4 years the summer before the Presidential Election

Representing the states voters, each state party sends delegates to vote for the candidate preferred in their state

Each party chooses its final candidates for President and Vice President

Each party writes its "platform" (plan of action for the government in the next 4 years)

*Tip for success- Find a way to stick out. Because you are trying to win over members of your own party you will have similar views on most issues but if you can have a strong pleasing personality or something to help you stick out you will get more attention

Step 3: General Election

Election is between party nominees and any candidates without a political party affiliation

Citizens vote for a candidate and the electoral college awards all of each states electors to the candidate who receives the most votes in each state

* Tip for success- Run a strong campaign in order to get your name out there and show where you stand on major issues, showing you have a strong stance on certain issues can help you win over voters

Step 4: Electoral College

The candidate who receives the most votes in each state receives ALL of that states electors

Amount of electors given to each state is equal to 1 for each member in the House of Representatives plus 2 for your senators

The Electoral College consists of 538 electors

A majority of 270 electors is required to elect the President

*Tip for success- focus on the early states in the election such as Iowa because the rest of the nation watches the early states and that may persuade votes in the later states